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Literacy |
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| The Six Traits of Writing... |
| By Joan Nuzbach, Instructional Coordinator |
In the October issue of the Great Scott Times, I explained
three of the new buzz words in writing: Ideas, Organization and Voice. In
this issue the last three Traits of Writing will be discussed. They are
Word Choice, Sentence Fluency and Conventions.
In good writing, the word choice is clear, precise and colorful. It is
marked by thoughtful selection of that "just right" word that conveys both
the meaning and the attitude the writer wishes to project. Good writers
learn to spend words like money, making each one count. They also learn
that strong verbs give writing energy, while truckloads of adjectives and
adverbs do little more than weigh the text down. Strong word choice is
free of ponderous, heavy language, written only to impress. It's also free
of fluffy language: nice, fun, wonderful, great. It is clean, clear and to
the point.
How do we teach Word Choice? Teachers construct word walls in their
classrooms of favorite words and phrases. They teach their students to
extract meaning from context as they read. Teachers ask students to listen
for favorite words and phrases as they read good literature as a model.
The class may brainstorm different ways to say one thing, and teacher
models good word choice in their writing.
Sentence Fluency is the rhythm and flow of sentences that make a piece
both easy and pleasurable to read. When sentence fluency is strong, it is
easy to read a text aloud with lots of interpretation and inflection. It
dances gracefully from one sentence to the next. Strong sentence fluency
is also marked by variety in both sentence length and structure. Variety
lends interest to the text and helps keep sleepy readers awake.
How do we teach Sentence Fluency? Teachers read aloud to students from the
most lyrical, rhythmic text they can find. They ask students to read aloud
from good literature as a model to show flow and rhythm. Teachers help
students to revise text to make it fluent, and students practice writing
sentences many different ways. Of course, teachers model good sentence
fluency in their own writing.
Anything a copy editor might deal with falls under the heading of
Conventions: spelling, capitalization, paragraphing, grammar and usage.
The whole purpose of this trait is to enhance readability -- to make
information enticing and accessible.
Teachers teach conventions throughout the year. They might create editing
lessons in which students count and/or correct errors. Teachers explain
copy editor's symbols and show students how to use them. They also provide
numerous opportunities for students to practice editing their own work and
the work of others. Students learn that the editor's pen is in their
hands, and they are responsible for editing their own work.
Modeling for your child is a very powerful teaching tool. Scott teacher
model writing for students daily. Think what added benefit children
receive when their parents also model good writing for them. Understanding
what your children are doing with Six Traits can help you assist them at
home. |
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| Reading Support Program... |
Since 1989 the International Reading Association has
published a Teacher's Choice list. The following books are a few from the
last year as recorded in the November publication of The Reading
Teacher. As parents, you can decide what serves your child's reading
level and interests the most appropriately.
It has been proven that background knowledge greatly enhances a child's
ability to comprehend literature. Why not check out a new title or a new
genre at the public library to read aloud with your child this month?
Primary
Around One Cactus: Owls, Bats and Leaping Rats - Fredricks and
DiRubbins
Boxes for Katie - Fleming and Dressen-McQueen
The Elves and the Shoemaker - LaMarche
How Groundhog's Garden Grew - Cherry
My Brother Martin: A Sister Remembers Growing Up With the Reverend Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr. -Farris and Soentipiet
My Brothers' Flying Machine: Wilbur, Orville, and Me - Yolem and Burke
Suki's Kimono - Uegaki and Jorisch
Swing Around the Sun - Ebensen
We All Went on a Safari: A Counting Journey Through Tanzania -
Krebs and Carins
You Can't See Your Bones With Binoculars: A Guide to Your 206 Bones -
Ziefert and Haley
Intermediate
DK State by State Atlas: A Kid's Guide to the People and Places of
America - Ciovacco, Feeley, Behrens
First to Fly - Busby and Craig
Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez - Krull and Morales
How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightening - Schanzer
Liberty Street - Ransom and Velasquez
River Boy: The Story of Mark Twain - Anderson
Sacagawea - Edrich and Buffalohead
A Voice of Her Own: The Story of Phillis Wheatley, Slave Poet -
Lasky and Lee
The Warriors - Bruchac
Weather! Watch How Weather Works - Rupp and Sweet
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| Reading Specialist -
Mrs. Dale Kasha
Mrs. Debbie Theodore |
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